Grain and flour on a vessel detained in Lebanon were stolen from Ukraine — the embassy received confirmation

The flour and barley loaded on the ship LAODICEA in the Lebanese port turned out to be Ukrainian. The vessel, which sails under the Syrian flag, arrived loaded from the occupied Crimea, reports the Embassy of Ukraine in Lebanon.

"We received key documents and evidence from Ukraine that flour and barley on LAODICEA board were stolen from Ukraine. Tomorrow we will submit a petition to the judge in Tripoli to extend the detention period. Knowing that we will do everything we can to be able to distribute it in the Lebanese market as soon as possible," the embassy said in a statement.

Background

The ship's arrival at the port of Tripoli became known a few days ago. Ukrainian diplomats immediately appealed to the authorities of Lebanon: Ambassador of Ukraine Ihor Ostash informed his colleague that the ship was loaded in the port of Feodosia with barley exported from the occupied territories.

Ostash explained that in order to confirm that this is Ukrainian grain, it is necessary to carry out an examination, which requires a court decision and the seizure of the vessel.

"We already have a court decision, and we will now start the legal process. And an element of this, of course, will be research and expertise. We want to take samples of this grain for examination to establish whether it is a grain of Ukrainian origin. There is no other way for today," the Ambassador said on July 28.

He emphasized that the vessel cannot now unload grain and is now in the port of Tripoli. A few days later, the Prosecutor General of Lebanon, Hassan Weidat, confirmed that the ship was under arrest pending an examination.